May 2015
Cat Invests in Peer-to-Peer Rental Company
Caterpillar is entering an agreement with Yard Club, a startup company that has developed an online peer-to-peer equipment rental platform. Caterpillar has provided strategic financing to Yard Club and will launch the online ordering platform in specific metropolitan markets in conjunction with U.S. and Canadian Caterpillar dealers. The peer-to-peer rental platform will include both Cat products and non-Cat branded products.
Briggs & Stratton Acquires Billy Goat Industries
Briggs & Stratton announced has acquired Billy Goat Industries, a manufacturer of specialty turf equipment, which includes: aerators, sod cutters, overseeders, power rakes, brush cutters, walk behind blowers, lawn vacuums, and debris loaders.
Lackmond's New Catalog Now Available
Lackmond Products' new catalog is now available, featuring the company's current products as well as its new offerings, which will include the Beast Saws by Delta, launching this summer.
Manitou Americas Adds to Dealer Network
Manitou Americas has added Modern Equipment & Supply to its dealer network, serving eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey territories. Modern Equipment & Supply will represent the Mustang line of compact dirt and mini-excavation equipment, the full line of Manitou rough terrain telescopic handler products and Gehl wheel loaders.
Trojan Battery Expands Distribution
Trojan Battery has added Energy Products as a master distributor, expanding its distribution network in the U.S. Energy Products will work alongside Trojan’s current master distributor WorldWide Battery to manage customer sales and support activities in Michigan and Ohio.
Mustang Skid Steers Celebrating 50 Years
Mustang skid steers, first manufactured in 1965 by Owatonna Manufacturing Company and now part of Manitou Americas, Inc., is celebrating its 50th year of designing and manufacturing skid steer loaders. The company was the second manufacturer to develop skid steer loaders.
Kubota Moving Corporate Headquarters to Texas
Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) and Kubota Credit Corporation (KCC) announced today that they will relocate their headquarters to Grapevine, Texas. Both companies have been planning for increased efficiencies on the heels of recent expansions and an aggressive growth strategy. The move will affect about 180 employees and is expected to happen within the next 18 months.
Atlas Copco Rammer Wins Design Award
The Association of Swedish Engineering Industries awarded Atlas Copco Construction Tools with the Grand Award of Design for its upgraded LT6005 Rammer. The rammer was in the Public’s Favorite category and has a slim, user-friendly design that allows contractors to work close to walls and posts or in narrow spaces, such as trenches.
Incentives Help Power Propane Mower Interest
Incentives to reduce acquisition cost and ongoing interest in lowering fuel costs resulted in 1,307 approved incentive applications for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) during a six-month stretch, from last October through March of this year, in which it doubled its incentives for new propane mower purchases and qualified conversions.
Neff Rental Posts Record First Quarter
Equipment Rental Revenue Shows Ongoing Growth
Despite reduced demand in the oil and gas market, equipment rentals are poised to set a revenue record in 2015, according to the American Rental Association's updated industry forecast. Though modified slightly from February, the industry is projecting 7.9% total revenue growth for construction/industrial, general tool, and party and event.
Construction Employment Grows in April
With residential and nonresidential sectors adding jobs, construction employment expanded by 45,000 employees in April, now totalling about 280,000 new jobs over the past year, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Brush Chipper Maintenance Videos Available
Based on customer input, Morbark has taken key questions and created a series of vidoes to support maintenance of the company's Beever brush chippers. These “Maintenance Made Easy” videos will be available online on Morbark’s website and easily accessed through QR codes on maintenance cards available through any local authorized Morbark dealer or by request at www.morbark.com/MaintenanceMadeEasy.
ARA Members Express Issues, Concerns on Capitol Hill
The American Rental Association reports that 90 members from 36 states participated in the organization's National Legislative Caucus, an opportunity for ARA members to meet with their U.S. representatives and senators and explain how government policy impacts their businesses.
Folcomer Equipment Top Volume Takeuchi Dealer, 2014
Takeuchi-US recognized Folcomer Equipment as its 2014 Top Volume Dealer of the Year. The full-service construction dealer has four locations throughout Maryland, including Aberdeen, Baltimore, Frederick, and Upper Marlboro, as well as a location in Greenwood, Del.
Morbark Expands Boxer Distribution Network
Morbark continues expanding its distributor network for its Boxer line of compact utility loaders and Morbark Tree Care Products, recently adding distribution in four states.
Bartell Companies Providing Additional Focus on Education
Based on feedback from customers attending World of Concrete and The Rental Show, the Bartell Family of Companies has increased its focus on education, reports Chris Windsor, marketing manager. They've launched a blog that will become a key resource for their efforts. (Click here to view the blog page.)
Genie Marketing Safety Kit Available
In support of OSHA’s National Fall Prevention Stand-Down, May 4-15, Terex Aerial Work Platforms developed a Genie marketing safety kit to raise safety awareness in the aerial access industry. This free kit for the North American market contains one safety poster (10 Tips for Operating Aerials), Genie safety accessories brochures, hardhat stickers and two Genie Lift Pro online training cards with access codes for free online operator training.
Rouse Rental Report Highlights
Used equipment prices increased very slightly, up 0.4% in March compared to February values, notes the Rouse Rental Report in its April newsletter.
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